Kinsmen of a former governor of Anambra State, Chief Jim Nwobodo have accused him of hatching plans to finally oust their suspended traditional ruler, Igwe Anthony Ogbodo Okorie, in order to have his way in taking over a community land under dispute.
In an SOS signed by several representatives of different clans of the community, they accused the former governor of having forged documents to back up his alleged sinister plans to take the lands. They also claimed he was behind the suspension of the Igwe, and plans to install a stooge to replace him so that his plans may work out smoothly.
The SOS, obtained by Jungle-Journalist.Com, is published word for word below:
MEMO FROM CONCERNED CITIZENS AND PEOPLE OF AMECHI AWKUNANAW COMMUNITY
24th January 2024
SAVE OUR SOUL
A CALL FOR REDEMPTION OF AMECHI AWKUNANAW COMMUNITY
We the concerned citizens and good people of Amechi Awkunanaw Community do hereby appeal to eminent personalities of Enugu State to come to our rescue as our community has been besieged by Sen. Jim Ifeanyichukwu Nwobodo boasting that he will get an approval from the Governor of Enugu State, H.E. Peter Mbah to remove our Traditional Ruler, Igwe Anthony Ogbodo Okorie in a few months for refusing to sign a forged land instrument for him on a community land dedicated for industrial development and job creation.
SEN. NWOBODO USED HIS CONTACT WITH GOVERNOR UGWUANYI TO INSTIGATE SUSPENSION OF OUR IGWE WITHOUT DUE PROCESS IN 2021
Upon Igwe’s refusal to sign a falsified land instrument against the interest of the community, Sen. Nwobodo became so infuriated that he got the former Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, a very close friend of his to suspend the traditional ruler disregarding any due process. The Igwe went to Court to challenge his suspension and the matter is still pending in Enugu High Court.
HISTORY OF THE LAND AND FALSIFICATIONS THAT FOLLOWED
It will be noted that the vast expanse of land which Sen. Jim Nwobodo wanted our Igwe to sign off to him is a communal land owned by the generality of Amechi Awkunanaw Community (Umu Ngene Ike people). The land was a disputed land between Amagu Ibite (present Amagu Akegbe Ugwu) and Umu Ngene Ike (present Amechi Awkunanaw Community) which was won by Amechi in the Supreme Court in 1972.
The land matter is presently in Enugu High Court between Amechi Awkunanaw Community v Sen. Jim Nwobodo. At the Court, it was found that Sen. Nwobodo in desperation had presented a Gift of Land document bearing names of dead and alleged signatories of dead community leaders alleging ownership of the land. We also discovered that he had also filed another document, an Irrevocable Power of Attorney with the Ministry of lands, Enugu State alleging he got the same land from his late father follows:
1. An alleged GIFT OF LAND Document by Amagu Ugwu People to His Excellency Chief Jim Nwobodo, Governor of Amambra State dated 1981. See Annexure “A”
The signatories on the alleged Gift of Land are of dead former leaders of the community are different from the true signatures of the named persons on the title. The documents bearing true signatures of Chief Stephen Nnamani and Chief Julius Aniagu named on the alleged Gift of Land are attached for clarification. Annexure ‘C’
2. An alleged IRREVOCABLE POWER OF ATTORNEY on the same land in favour of Sen. Jim Nwobodo by his father, Peter Nwobodo dated 17th May, 2006 was also paraded by Sen. Nwobodo at different times as evidence of ownership. See Annexure “B”
It is a fact that Sen. Nwobodo’s late father (Peter Nwobodo) died in the 60s and could not have signed any Power of Attorney in favour of Sen. Nwobodo in 2006. In addition, his father never owned any part of the land in question. The principle of Nemo dat quod non habet is that one cannot give what he has not.
LATEST CAMPAIGN BY SEN. NWOBODO TO REMOVE IGWE AND INSTALL A PUPPET IS MEANT TO INCITE VIOLENCE AND INTIMIDATE THE COMMUNITY
Igwe Okorie has been the traditional ruler of Amechi Awkunanaw for more than two decades and even as his suspension is being challenged in the Court of competent jurisdiction, his influence has not waned a bit. During the last festive period, he was always received with royal welcome whenever he attends a function. This unwavering loyalty by the majority of indigenes of Amechi Awkunanaw to the Igwe irked Jim Nwobodo the more that he boasted that he will cause the present Governor of Enugu State, His Excellency Dr. Peter Mbah to remove Igwe A.O. Okorie as Ohachirieze II of Amechi Awkunanaw, using the same strategy the former Governor applied in the suspension.
To actualize this, he (Sen. Nwobodo) using an unknown organ of Amechi Awkunanaw Community’s Constitution, on 27th December, 2023, caused the issuance of notice for purchase of form for the contest of Igweship position in Amechi Awkunanaw last December. The process is still on, although, clandestinely.
OUR APPEAL TO THE GOOD PEOPLE OF ENUGU STATE
On this note, we are appealing to the good people of Enugu State to assist the Community in reaching out to the Governor of Enugu State, H.E. Dr. Peter Mbah to lift the suspension and reinstate the suspended Igwe to his rightful throne.
It’s on record that other suspended traditional rulers of Akwuke and Akwuke Uwani by the former Governor Ugwuanyi have all been restored to their throne in 2023.
The good people of Amechi Awkunanaw Community will be highly indebted to any good Samaritan who abhors injustice to helping the community restore our traditional Ruler HRH Igwe A.O. Okorie (Ohachirieze II of Amechi Awkunanaw).
Above all, to help us appeal to our God fearing Governor, H.E. Dr. Peter Mbah to peacefully allow the court of competent jurisdiction to determine the title ownership of the said land and avoid the use of government machinery in intimidating/harassing and inciting conflict in our community like his predecessor.
Long live men of courage who abhors injustice!
Long live men of honour who fights injustice!!
Long live the government of Enugu State!!!
Signed:
S/NO NAME KINDRED FAMILIES
1. Ogenyi Charles Anikwe Umunkwuoani Ogenyi
2. Ogenyi Dennis Nkwuo Umunechi Ogenyi
3. Ogenyi Dennis Osondu Ani Umuosiomede Ogenyi
4. Ogenyi Emma Chukwu Umugwuaniede Ogenyi
5. Ogenyi Friday Ani Umuadani Ogenyi
6. Ogenyi Friday Okoh Umunshiachi Ogenyi
7. Ogenyi Joshua Ugwuegbo Umugwunta Ogenyi
8. Ogenyi Israel Nwobodo Umunveneankwuo Ogenyi
9. Ogenyi Romanus Edeh Umugwuani Ogenyi Feti
10. Ogenyi Sir Cyprain Chukwu Umuaniebo Ogenyi
11. Mr. Friday Obanego Umuegboankwuo Chairman
12. Comrade Ozoemena Aninwonovo Umuaniagu Achime VP (ADU)
13. Comrade Amaechi Nkwuo Umunveneankwuo Youth Chairman
14. Chief Peter Nwobodo Umuegboankwuo Palace Secretary
15. Hon. Dan Onyia Umunshiachi Sec (ADU)
16. Mr. Samuel Edeh Umuogo BOT
17. Mr. Emma Nwachukwu Umuaniaguewoene
18. Mr. Ikechukwu Philip Onuchukwu Umugwuani ADU (Exc)
19. Rt. Hon. Jonathan Ugwu, fmer Councilor, Enugu South LGA,
Community Leader
20. Mr. Sunday Ugwuegbo Ndiugwunta ADU (Exc)
21. Mr. Chijioke Nnamani Umuaniaguewoene Community Leader
22. Mr. Laz Ogbodo Umuaniaguewoene Community Leader
23. Barr. Raphael Okenwa Legal Practitioner
24. Hon. Chief Hyacinth Ngwu General Manager,
FAAN Nigeria and BOT Amechi Awkunanaw Community.
25. Chief James Ezeke Ogbodo, Retired Director of Administration
26. Hon. Sunday Okoh (Champion) Community leader and an Entrepreneur.